2-(substituted sulfanyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one derivatives for increasing HDL cholesterol levels

ABSTRACT

A method for increasing blood serum HDL cholesterol levels in a mammal in need of increased HDL cholesterol blood serum levels, which comprises administering to said mammal, an effective amount of a compound of formula I: ##STR1## wherein R is phenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, alkyl, perfluoroalkyl, alkoxy, perfluoroalkoxy, hydroxy, alkanoyloxy, aroyloxy or arylalkanoyloxy; R 3  is alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous studies have demonstrated that both the risk of coronary heartdisease (CHD) in humans and the severity of experimental atherosclerosisin animals are inversely correlated with serum HDL cholesterol (HDL-C)concentrations (Russ et al, Am. J. Med., 11 (1951) 480-493; Gofman etal, Circulation, 34 (1966) 679-697; Miller and Miller, Lancet, 1 (1975)16-19; Gordon et al, Circulation, 79 (1989) 8-15; Stampfer et al, N.Engl. J. Med., 325 (1991) 373-381; Badimon et al, Lab. Invest., 60(1989) 455-461 ). Atherosclerosis is the process of accumulation ofcholesterol within the arterial wall which results in the occlusion, orstenosis, of coronary and cerebral arterial vessels and subsequentmyocardial infarction and stroke. Angiographical studies have shown thatelevated level of some HDL particles in humans appears to be correlatedto a decreased number of sites of stenosis in the coronary arteries ofhumans (Miller et al, Br. Med. J., 282 (1981) 1741-1744).

There are several mechanisms by which HDL may protect against theprogression of atherosclerosis. Studies in vitro have shown that HDL iscapable of removing cholesterol from cells (Picardo et al,Arteriosclerosis, 6 (1986) 434-441). Data of this nature suggest thatone antiatherogenic property of HDL may lie in its ability to depletetissues of excess free cholesterol and eventually lead to the deliveryof this cholesterol to the liver (Glomset, J. Lipid Res., 9 (1968)155-167). This has been supported by experiments showing efficienttransfer of cholesterol from HDL to the liver (Glass et al, Circulation,66 (Suppl. I) (1982) 102; MacKinnon et al, J. Biol. Chem., 261 (1986)2548-2552). In addition, HDL may serve as a reservoir in the circulationfor apoproteins necessary for the rapid metabolism of triglyceride-richlipoproteins (Grow and Fried, J. Biol. Chem., 253 (1978) 1834-1841;Lagocki and Scanu, J. Biol. Chem., 255 (1980) 3701-3706; Schaefer et al,J. Lipid Res., 23 (1982) 1259-1273). Accordingly, agents which increaseHDL cholesterol concentrations are useful as anti-atheroscleroticagents, particularly in the treatment of dyslipoproteinemias andcoronary heart disease.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,981 discloses N-phenyl imidazolidines of thefollowing formula (I) as anti-androgenic agents useful in the treatmentof cancers of the breast, brain, ovaries, bladder, liver and kidney:##STR2## in which --A--B-- is ##STR3## where R¹ is cyano, nitro orhalogen; R² is trifluoromethyl or halogen; X is oxygen or sulfur; Y isoxygen, sulfur or nitrogen and R³ is hydrogen or a vast variety oforganic groups.

Related publication EP 5785 16 emphasizes compounds of formula Ia, withspecial emphasis on the 4-cyano-2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl group in eachof the disclosed species.

WO 94/20460 discloses a genus of compounds of formula II asangiotensin-II receptor antagonists, useful for the treatment ofhypertension, congestive heart failure, renal failure and glaucoma.##STR4##

In the generic disclosure, HET represents numerous heterocycles, one ofwhich is an imidazolidinone (III) in which R2 may be an 2-8 C alkylthiogroup among other things. There is no specific example of a compounddisclosed in the document that corresponds with those variables. R²² isa 3-4 membered polymethylene (spiro) group.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a group of2-(substituted sulfanyl) dihydro-imidazolones of formula I, ##STR5##wherein R is phenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with one or moregroups selected from halogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms,perfluoroalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms,perfluoroalkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, hydroxy, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6carbon atoms, aroyloxy of 7 to 11 carbon atoms or arylalkanoyloxy of 8to 16 carbon atoms;

R³ is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms orarylalkyl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts are those derived from suchorganic and inorganic acids as: acetic, lactic, citric, tartaric,succinic, maleic, malonic, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric,nitric, sulfuric, methanesulfonic, and similarly known acceptable acids.The alkyl and alkoxy groups may be straight chain or branched chain,such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl. butyl, isobutyl, tertiarybutyl, pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy,isobutoxy, hexyloxy, and the like.

A preferred group of compounds are those of formula I: ##STR6## whereinR is phenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with one or more groupsselected from halogen, alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, perfluoromethyl,alkoxy of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, perfluoromethoxy, hydroxy or alkanoyloxyof 2 to 4 carbon atoms;

R³ is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms or arylalkyl or 7 to 9 carbon atoms;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The most preferred compounds of this invention are:

2-Ethylsulfanyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

3-(5-Chloro-2-methylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-oneor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-oneor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

3-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

2-Benzylsulfanyl-3-(5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-oneor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

2-Ethylsulfanyl-3-(2-tolyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

3-(2-Chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-oneor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

2-Ethylsulfanyl-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

3-(2,6-Dimethylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

The compounds of this invention where R³ is methyl (B) can be preparedby alkylation of 2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-ones (A) with methyl iodide.The reaction proceeds in poor yield. The product is difficult to purifyas a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The alkylation has not beensuccessfully carded out with alkyl iodides larger than methyl. ##STR7##

The compounds of the present invention are prepared according to thepreferred general sequence of reactions outlined in the scheme below:##STR8##

An amino acid amide hydrochloride (1) is convened to the base (2) withsodium methoxide in methanol. An appropriate isothiocyanate is added atroom temperature to the amino acid amide in chloroform or methylenechloride. The mixture is heated to reflux, then heating is discontinuedand stirring is continued for 20 minutes to 3 hours. The thiourea-amide(3) is isolated by standard procedures. In an alternative procedure, 3can be obtained from the amino acid amide hydrochloride (1). In thisprocedure, 1 is reacted with an isothiocyanate in the presence of a basesuch as triethylamine. The thiourea-amide (3) is reacted with twoequivalents of alkyl halide (or aryl halide) in ethanol at reflux for 2to 5 hours. The ammonia that forms during cyclization effectivelyscavenges the hydrohalide formed during alkylation, allowing the titlecompounds (4) to be isolated as the free base. Desired salts can beprepared by standard methods.

This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprised of2-(substituted sulfanyl) dihydro-imidazol-4-ones either alone or incombination with excipients (i.e. pharmaceutically acceptable materialswith no pharmacological effects). Such compositions are useful in thetreatment of atherosclerotic conditions such as dyslipoproteinemias andcoronary heart disease, in that they increase the blood serum highdensity lipoprotein concentration of mammals treated with the compounds.

The precise dosage to be employed depends upon several factors includingthe host, whether in veterinary medicine or human medicine, the natureand severity of the condition being treated, the mode of administrationand the particular active substance employed. The compounds may beadministered by any conventional route, in particular enterally,preferably orally in the form of tablets or capsules. Administeredcompounds can be in the free form or pharmaceutically acceptable saltform as appropriate, for use as a pharmaceutical, particularly for usein the prophylactic or curative treatment of atherosclerosis andsequelae (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, heartfailure, kidney failure stroke, peripheral arterial occlusion, andrelated disease states). These measures will slow the rate of progressof the disease state and assist the body in reversing the processdirection in a natural manner.

Any suitable carrier known to the art can be used to prepare thepharmaceutical compositions. In such a composition, the carrier may be asolid, liquid or mixture of a solid and a liquid. Solid compositionsinclude powders, tablets and capsules. A solid carrier can be one ormore substances which may also act as a flavoring agent, lubricant,solubilizer, suspending agent, binder, or tablet disintegrant. Inpowders, the carrier is a finely divided solid which is in admixturewith the finely divided active ingredient. In tablets the activeingredient is mixed with a carrier having the necessary bindingproperties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and sizedesired. Suitable solid carriers are magnesium carbonate, magnesiumstearate, talc, sugar, lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatin,tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, a low melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like.Encapsulating materials may also be employed with the compounds of thisinvention, and the term "composition" is intended to include the activeingredient in combination with an encapsulating material as aformulation, with or without other carriers. Cachets may also be used inthe delivery of the anti-atherosclerotic medicament of this invention.

Sterile liquid compositions include solutions, suspensions, emulsions,syrups and elixirs. The compounds of this invention may be dissolved orsuspended in the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as sterilewater, sterile organic solvent or a mixture of both. Preferably theliquid carrier is one suitable for parental injection. Where thecompounds are sufficiently soluble they can be dissolved directly innormal saline with or without the use of suitable organic solvents, suchas propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. If desired, dispersions ofthe finely divided compounds can be made-up in aqueous starch or sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose solution, or in a suitable oil, such as arachisoil. Liquid pharmaceutical compositions which are sterile solutions orsuspensions can be utilized by intramuscular, intraperitoneal orsubcutaneous injection. In many instances a liquid composition form maybe used instead of the preferred solid oral method of administration.

It is preferred to prepare unit dosage forms of the compounds forstandard administration regimens. In this way, the composition can besubdivided readily into smaller doses at the physicians direction. Forexample, unit dosages may be made up in packeted powders, vials orampoules and preferably in capsule or tablet form. The active compoundpresent in these unit dosage forms of the composition may be present inan amount of from about one gram to about fifteen grams or more, forsingle or multiple daily administration, according to the particularneed of the patient. The daily dose of active compound will varydepending upon the route of administration, the size, age and sex of thepatient, the severity of the disease state, and the response to thetherapy as traced by blood analysis and the patients recovery rate. Byinitiating the treatment regimen with a minimal daily dose of about onegram, the blood levels of HDL and the patients symptomatic reliefanalysis may be used to determine whether a larger dose is indicated.Based upon the data presented below, the projected daily dose for bothhuman and veterinary use will be from about 10 to about 200milligrams/kilogram per day. However, in general, satisfactory resultsare indicated to be obtained at daily dosages in the range of from 400milligrams to about 2000 milligrams, conveniently administered individed doses two to four times a day.

The ability of the compounds of this invention to increase blood serumHDL levels was established by the following standard experimentalprocedure for determination of HDL cholesterol:

Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-225 g are housed two per cage andfed Purina Rodent Chow Special Mix 5001-S supplemented with 0.25% cholicacid and 1.0% cholesterol and water ad libitum for 8 days. Each testsubstance is administered to a group of six rats fed the same diet withthe test diet mixed in as 0.005-0.1% of the total diet. Body weight andfood consumption are recorded prior to diet administration and attermination. Typical doses of the test substances are 5-100 mg/kg/day.

At termination, blood is collected from anesthetized rats and the serumis separated by centrifugation. Total serum cholesterol is assayed usingthe Sigma Diagnostics enzymatic kit for the determination ofcholesterol, Sigma Procedure No. 352, modified for use with ninety-sixwell microtiter plates. After reconstitution with water the reagentcontains 300 U/l cholesterol oxidase, 100 U/l cholesterol esterase, 1000U/l horse radish peroxidase, 0.3 mmoles/14-aminoantipyrine and 30.0mmoles/l p-hydroxybenzenesulfonate in a pH 6.5 buffer. In the reactioncholesterol is oxidized to produce hydrogen peroxide which is used toform a quinoneimine dye. The concentration of dye formed is measuredspectrophotometrically by absorbance at 490 nm after incubation at 25°C. for 30 minutes. The concentration of cholesterol was determined foreach serum sample relative to a commercial standard from Sigma.

HDL cholesterol concentrations in serum are determined by separation oflipoprotein classes by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) by amodification of the method of Kieftet al., J. Lipid Res., 32 (1991)859-866.25 ul of serum is injected onto Superose 12 and Superose 6(Pharmacia), in series, with a column buffer of 0.05 M Tris(2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol) and 0.15M sodium chloride at aflow rate of 0.5 ml/min. The eluted sample is mixed on line withBoehringer-Mannheim cholesterol reagent pumped at 0.2 ml/min. Thecombined eluents are mixed and incubated on line through a knitted coil(Applied Biosciences) maintained at a temperature of 45 C. The eluent ismonitored by measuring absorbance at 490 nm and gives a continuousabsorbance signal proportional to the cholesterol concentration. Therelative concentration of each lipoprotein class is calculated as thepercent of total absorbance. HDL cholesterol concentration, in serum, iscalculated as the percent of total cholesterol as determined by FPLCmultiplied by the total serum cholesterol concentration.

The compounds of the present invention increase HDL cholesterolconcentrations as summarized in Table I:

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        Compound            Duration of                                               of      Dose        Treatment HDL Cholesterol                                 Example (mg/kg/day) (days)    Level Increase (%)                              ______________________________________                                        1       80          8         140                                             2       100         8         153                                             3       100         8         66                                              4       70          8         128                                             5       100         8         102                                             6       100         8         74                                              7       100         8         139                                             8       100         8         71                                              9       100         8         89                                              10      100         8         32                                              11      100         8         26                                              12      100         8         45                                              13      100         8         39                                              14      100         8         75                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 1 2-Ethylsulfanyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one

Glycinamide (5.0 g) and 4-fluorophenyl-isothiocyanate (9.18 g) werestirred in chloroform (200 mL). The mixture was heated at reflux for 5minutes then stirred at ambient temperature for 20 minutes. Theprecipitated solid was collected by filtration, washed with chloroformand air dried to give 2-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-thioureido]acetamide (10.7g) as a light pink solid, m.p. 168°-170° C (dec.). Mass spectrum (EI,M.⁺) m/z 277. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ9.97 (broad s, 1H), 7.82(broad s, 1H), 7.45-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.10-7.17 (m, 3H), and 4.06 ppm (s,2H).

A mixture of 2-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide (9.1 g) andethyl iodide (12.5 g) was heated at reflux in ethanol (200 mL) for 4hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethylacetate (500 mL) then washed with water. The organic phase was extractedwith 2N HCl (2×400 mL). The acid extract was made basic with 5% sodiumbicarbonate solution. The precipitate was collected by filtration anddried. Crystallization from diethyl ether afforded the title compound(2.85 g) as an off-white solid, m.p. 114°-115° C. Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₁H₁₁ F N₂ O S: C, 55.45; H, 4.65; N, 11.76. Found: C, 55.17; H, 4.54; N,11.81. Mass spectrum (EI, M.⁺) m/z 238. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz)δ7.32-7.39 (m, 4H), 4.30 (s, 2H), 3.07 (q, 2H), and 1.28 ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 23-(5-Chloro-2-methylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydroimidazol-4-one

Glycinamide (10.08 g) and 5-chloro-2-methylphenyl-isothiocyanate (23 g)were heated at reflux in chloroform (300 mL) for 30 minutes. The mixturewas then stirred at ambient temperature for 3 hours. The precipitatedsolid was collected by filtration, washed with chloroform and air driedto give 2-[3-(5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)thioureido]-acetamide (28.5 g),m.p. 162°-164° C. Mass spectrum (El, M.⁺) m/z 257/259. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆; 400 MHz) δ9.46 (s, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 7.51 (d, 2H), 7.24 (d, 1H), 7.24(d, 1H), 7.18 (d, 1H), 7.15 (m, 2H), 4.06 (d, 2H), and 2.16 ppm (s, 3H).

A mixture of 2-[3-(5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide (25.8g) and ethyl iodide (32.0 g) was heated at reflux in ethanol (500 mL)for 5 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved inethyl acetate (500 mL) and water (300 mL). The organic phase was washedwith water, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, then evaporated to dryness. Theresidue was triturated with diethyl ether and the solid was collected byfiltration and dried to give the title compound (17.0 g) as a yellowsolid, m.p. 137°-139° C. Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₂ H₁₃ Cl N₂ O S: C, 53.63;H, 4.88; N, 10.42. Found: C, 53.58; H, 4.74; N, 10.32. Mass spectrum(EI, M.⁺) m/z 268/270. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ7.45-7.49 (m, 1H),7.40-7.43 (m, 2H), 4.35 (dd, 2H), 3.07 (m, 2H), 2.1 (s, 3H), and 1.28ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 3 3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one

A mixture of glycinamide hydrochloride (5.5 g), triethyl amine (5.05 g),5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl-isothiocyanate (9.95 g), and chloroform (500mL) were heated at reflux for 3 hours. The mixture was then cooled toambient temperature and washed with water (300 mL). The organic phasewas separated. Precipitate formed upon standing. The solid was collectedby filtration, washed with water, then with diethyl ether and air driedto give 2-[3-(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-thioureido]acetamide (12.8 g),m.p. 166°-169° C. (dec.). This compound was used without furtherpurification for the preparation of the title compound.

A mixture of 2-[3-(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide (11.0g) and ethyl iodide (12.5 g) in ethanol (400 mL) was heated at refluxfor 4.5 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved inchloroform (500 mL) and washed with water. The organic phase was driedover anhydrous MgSO₄, then evaporated to dryness. The residue wascrystallized from ethanol to give the title compound (6.1 g) as a tansolid, m.p. 113°-115° C. Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₂ H₁₃ Cl N₂ O₂ S: C, 50.61;H, 4.60; N,9.84. Found: C, 50.32; H, 4.59; N, 9.77. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺,[M+H]⁺) m/z 285/287. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d6; 400 MHz) 15 7.53 (m, 1H), 7.41(d, 1H), 7.22 (d, 1H), 4.31 (dd, 2H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.05 (m, 2H), and1.26 ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 43-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one

2-[3-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide was prepared by theprocedure described in Example 2 using 40.8 g of2,6-dichlorophenyl-isothiocyanate and 29.6 g of glycinamide. The productwas obtained (54 g) as a solid, m.p. 189°-191° C. Mass spectrum (+FAB,[M+H]⁺) m/z 278/280/282. This intermediate was used in the nextparagraph without further purification.

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described in Example 2using 27.8 g of 2-[3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide and 31.2g of ethyl iodide. 12.8 g of the title compound was obtained, m.p.122°-124° C. Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₁ H₁₀ Cl₂ N₂ O S: C, 45.69; H, 3.49; N,9.69. Found: C, 45.62; H, 3.33; N, 9.43. Mass spectrum (+FAB, [M+H]⁺)m/z 289/291/293. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ7.72 (s, 1H), 7.70 (s,1H), 7.58 (t, 1H), 4.50 (s, 2H), 3.10 (q, 2H), and 1.27 ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 52-Benzylsulfanyl-3-(5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydroimidazol-4-one

A mixture of 2-[3-(5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide (20.6g), benzyl chloride (25.0 g), and ethanol (350 mL) was heated at refluxfor 2.5 hours. The insolubles were removed by filtration and discarded.The filtrate was concentrated to one-half volume. Diethyl ether (300 mL)was added. The precipitated solid was separated by filtration anddiscarded. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness. The residue wasdissolved in chloroform (300 mL) and washed with water. The organicphase was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, decolorized on carbon thenevaporated to dryness. The residue was triturated with diethyl ether togive the title compound (14.2 g) as an off-white solid, m.p. 140°-142°C. Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₇ H₁₅ Cl N₂ O S: C, 61.72; H, 4.57; N, 8.47.Found: C, 61.62; H, 4.39; N, 8.37. Mass spectrum (EI, M.⁺) m/z 330/332.¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ7.46 (m, 1H), 7.42 (m, 2H), 7.38 (d, 2H),7.22-7.32 (m, 3H), 4.31-4.48 (m, 4H), and 2.06 ppm (s, 3H).

EXAMPLE 6 3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one

2-[3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide was prepared by theprocedure described in Example 3 using 16.95 g of2-chlorophenyl-isothiocyanate and equivalent amounts of all otherreactants. 18.8 Grams of the desired product was obtained, m.p.161°-163° C. Anal. Calcd. for. C₉ H₁₀ Cl N₃ O S: C, 44.35; H, 4.414; N,17.24. Found: C, 43.99; H, 3.91; N, 17.12. Mass spectrum (+FAB, [M+H]⁺)m/z 244/246. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ9.57 (s, 1H), 8.06 (t, 1H),7.71 (d, 1H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.47 (m, 1H), 7.28-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.18-7.22(m, 2H), and 4.09 ppm (d, 2H).

A mixture of 2-[3-(2-chlorophenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide (12.2 g), ethyliodide (15.6 g), and ethanol (200 mL) was heated at reflux for 5 hours.The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate(400 mL) and water (300 mL). The organic phase was washed with water(2×300 mL). The organic phase was then extracted with 2N HCl (2×500 mL).The acid extract was neutralized with solid sodium bicarbonate andextracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with water,dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ then evaporated to dryness. The residue wasdissolved in ethanol and the solution was saturated with hydrogenchloride. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was crystallizedfrom ethyl acetate to give the hydrochloride salt of the title compound(8.4 g) as an off-white solid, m.p. 149°-150° C. (dec.). Anal. Calcd.for. C₁₁ H₁₁ Cl N₂ O S. HCl: C, 45.37; H, 4.15; N, 9.62. Found: C,44.97; H, 4.06; N, 9.51. Mass spectrum (EI, M.⁺) m/z 254/256. 1H-NMR(DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ7.69 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.58 (m, 3H), 4.45 (q, 2H),3.11-3.17 (m, 2H), and 1.27 ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 7 2-Ethylsulfanyl-3-(2-tolyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one

2-[3-(2-Tolyl)-thioureido]-acetamide was prepared by the proceduredescribed in the first paragraph of Example 3 using 14.9 g of2-tolyl-isothiocyanate and equivalent amounts of all other reactants.17.1 Grams of product was obtained, m.p. 169°-171° C. (dec.). Thiscompound was used without further purification in the next paragraph.

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described in Example 6using 11.2 g of 2-[3-(2-tolyl)-thioureido]-acetamide and 15.6 g of ethyliodide. Crystallization from ethyl acetate afforded the hydrochloridesalt of the title compound as a white solid (6.8 g), m.p. 156°-158° C.(dec.). Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₂ H₁₄ N₂ O S. HCl: C, 53.23; H, 5.58; N,10.34. Found: C, 52.96; H, 5.49; N, 10.25. Mass spectrum (EI, M.⁺) m/z234. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) 88.75 (broad s, 2H), 7.43 (m, 2H), 7.35(m, 1H), 7.30 (m, 1H), 4.53 (q, 2H), 3.18-3.20 (m, 2H), and 1.29 ppm (t,3H).

EXAMPLE 83-(2-Chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydroimidazol-4-one

2-[3-(2-Chloro-6-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide was prepared by theprocedure described in Example 2 using 18.3 g of2-chloro-6-methylphenylisothiocyanate and 12.0 g of glycinamide. 22.8Grams of the product was obtained, m.p. 161°-163° C. (dec.). Thiscompound was used without further purification in the next paragraph.

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described in Example 6using 12.9 g of 2-[3-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide,and 18.0 g of ethyl iodide. The hydrochloride salt was prepared inethereal hydrogen chloride. Crystallization from ethyl acetate affordedthe title compound as the monohydrochloride as a light yellow solid (4.9g), m.p. 152°-154° C. (dec.). Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₂ H₁₃ Cl N₂ O S. HCl:C, 47.22; H, 4.62; N, 9.18. Found: C, 46.99; H, 4.60; N, 9.16. Massspectrum (+FAB, [M+H]⁺) m/z 269/271 ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ8.28(broad s, 2H), 7.51 (m, 1H), 7.44 (t, 1H), 7.39 (m, 1H), 4.51 (q, 2H),3.12 (q, 2H), 2.17 (s, 3H), and 1.27 ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 9 2-Ethylsulfanyl-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one

A mixture of glycinamide hydrochloride (8.25 g), triethyl amine (10.0g), phenyl-isothiocyanate (10.1 g), and methylene chloride (300 mL) washeated at reflux for 1 hour. The mixture was stirred at ambienttemperature for 2 hours. The precipitate was collected by filtration,washed with methylene chloride, then with diethyl ether and air dried togive 2-(3-phenyl-thioureido)-acetamide (9.7 g), m.p. 150°-152° C. Anal.Calcd. for. C₉ H₁₁ N₃ O S: C, 51.66; H, 5.30; N, 20.08. Found: C, 51.41;H, 5.04; N, 20.02. Mass spectrum (El, M.⁺) m/z 209. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ;400 MHz) δ9.88 (s, 1H), 7.70 (t, 1H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.47 (d, 2H), 7.31(t, 2H), 7.15 (s, 1H), 7.09 (t, 1H), and 4.08 ppm (d, 2H).

A mixture of 2-(3-phenyl-thioureido)-acetamide (7.1 g), ethyl iodide(18.0 g), and ethanol (300 mL) was heated at reflux for 2 hours. Thesolvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in chloroform (300 mL)and water (300 mL). The organic phase was washed with water, dried overanhydrous MgSO₄, then evaporated to dryness. The residue wascrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane to give the title compound (3.1g), m.p. 79°-81° C. Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₁ H₁₂ N₂ O S: C, 59.97; H, 5.49;N, 12.72. Found: C, 59.67; H, 5.35; N, 12.70. Mass spectrum (El, M.⁺)m/z 220. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ7.43-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.28-7.31 (m,2H), 4.32 (s, 2H), 3.07 (q, 2H), and 1.27 ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 102-Ethylsulfanyl-3-(5-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydroimidazol-4-one

A mixture of glycinamide hydrochloride (4.42 g),5-fluoro-2-methylphenylisothiocyanate (6.68 g), triethyl amine (4.1 g),and chloroform (150 mL) was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours.The precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with chloroform andair dried to give 2-[3-(5-Fluoro-2-methylphenyl)-thioureido]acetamide(7.6 g), m.p. 172°-174° C. (dec.). This compound was used withoutfurther purification in the next paragraph.

A mixture of 2-[3-(5-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide (6.0g), ethyl iodide (15.6 g), and ethanol (120 mL) was heated at reflux for4 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was treated with ethylacetate (400 mL) and filtered. The filtrate was washed with water (300mL). The organic phase was evaporated to dryness. The residue wasdissolved in ethanol. The solution was saturated with hydrogen chloride.The solvent was evaporated and the residue was crystallized from ethylacetate and dried under vacuum to give the mono-hydrochloride of thetitle compound as a white solid (4.2 g), m.p. 181°-183° C. Anal. Calcd.for. C₁₂ H₁₃ F N₂ O S. HCl: C, 49.91; H, 4.89; N, 9.70. Found: C, 49.83;H, 4.82; N, 9.71. Mass spectrum (+FAB,[M+H]⁺) m/z 253. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆; 400 MHz) δ7.50-8.45 (broad s, 2H), 7.45 (m, 1H), 7.27-7.34 (m, 2H),4.48 (q, 2H), 3.21 (m, 2H), 2.10 (s, 3H), and 1.29 ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 113-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydroimidazol-4-one

A mixture of glycinamide hydrochloride (6.1 g),3-chloro-2-methylphenylisothiocyanate (10.1 g), triethyl amine (5.6 g),and chloroform (200 mL) was heated at reflux for 3 hours then cooled toambient temperature. The precipitate was collected by filtration, washedwith chloroform and air dried to give2-[3-(3-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide (12.5 g), m.p.162°-164° C. (dec.). This compound was used without further purificationfor the preparation of the title compound of step 2.

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described in Example 6using 12.0 g of 2-[3-(3-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide,and 25.0 g of ethyl iodide. The hydrochloride salt was prepared inethereal hydrogen chloride. Crystallization from ethyl acetate affordedthe title compound as a white solid, monohydrochloride (5.1 g), m.p.161-163° C. (dec.). Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₂ H₁₃ Cl N₂ O S . HCl: C, 47.22;H, 4.62; N, 9.18. Found: C, 47.03; H, 4.40; N, 9.09. Mass spectrum(+FAB, [M+H]⁺) m/z 269/271. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ9.05-9.85(broad s, 2H), 7.62 (d, 1H), 7.39 (t, 1H), 7.33 (d, 1H), 4.48 (q, 2H),3.20 (m, 2H), 2.15 (s, 3H), and 1.29 ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 123-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydroimidazol-4-one

2-[3-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide was prepared by theprocedure described Example 11 using 18.36 g of3-chloro-4-methylphenylisothiocyanate, 11.05 g of glycinamidehydrochloride, 10.1 g of triethyl amine, and 300 mL of chloroform. 22.0Grams of the desired product was obtained, m.p. 167°-169° C. (dec.).Mass spectrum (El, M.⁺) m/z 257/259. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ9.93(s, 1H), 7.80 (t, 1H), 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.25 (m, 2H), 7.16(s, 1H), 4.07 (d, 2H), and 2.27 ppm (s, 3H).

A mixture of 2-[3-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide (10.0g), ethyl iodide (17.5 g), and ethanol (200 mL) was heated at reflux for2.5 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved inethyl acetate (500 mL) and water (500 mL). The organic phase was washedwith water (2×300 mL). The organic phase was extracted with 2N HCl(2×500 mL). The acid extract was neutralized with solid sodiumbicarbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase waswashed with water, dried over anhydrous Na₂ SO₄ then evaporated todryness. The residue was stirred in diethyl ether and faltered to givethe title compound (8.4 g) as a white solid, m.p. 133°-135° C. Anal.Calcd. for. C₁₂ H₁₃ Cl N₂ O S: C, 53.63; H, 4.88; N, 10.42. Found: C,53.66; H, 4.78; N, 10.39. Mass spectrum (EI, M.⁺) m/z 268/270. ¹ H-NMR(DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ7.47 (d, 1H), 7.43 (d, 1H), 7.20 (dd, 1H), 4.29 (s,2H), 3.07 (q, 2H), 2.36 (s, 3H), and 1.28 ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 133-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydroimidazol-4-one

2-[3-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide was prepared by theprocedure described in Example 11 using 18.36 g of4-chloro-2-methylphenylisothiocyanate, 11.05 g of glycinamidehydrochloride, 10.1 g of triethyl amine, and 300 mL of chloroform. 21.4Grams of the desired compound was obtained, m.p. 170°-172° C. (dec.).Mass spectrum (El, M.⁺) m/z 257/259. ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ9.38(s, 1H), 7.62 (broad s, 1H), 7.45 (s, 1H), 7.35 (d, 1H), 7.32 (d, 1H),7.21 (m, 1H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 4.06 (d, 2H), and 2.17 ppm (s, 3H).

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described in Example 6using 18.0 g of 2-[3-(4-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide,and 25.0 g of ethyl iodide. The hydrochloride salt was prepared inethereal hydrogen chloride. Crystallization from ethyl acetate affordedthe title compound as an off-white solid, mono-hydrochloride (17.6 g),m.p. 166°-168° C. (dec.). Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₂ H₁₃ Cl N₂ O S. HCl: C,47.22; H, 4.62; N, 9.18. Found: C, 47.24; H, 4.45; N, 9.05. Massspectrum (+FAB, [M+H]⁺) m/z 269/271 ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz)δ9.05-9.78 (broad s, 2H), 7.53 (m, 1H), 7.44 (d, 1H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 7.33(d, 1H), 4.48 (q, 2H), 3.20 (m, 2H), 2.13 (s, 3H), and 1.29 ppm (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 143-(2,6-Dimethylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one

A mixture of 2,6-dimethylphenyl-isothiocyanate (16.3 g), glycinamidehydrochloride (11.05 g), triethyl amine (12.0 g), and chloroform (250mL) was heated at reflux for 3 hours. The solvent was evaporated. Theresidue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (500 mL) and washed with 1N HC₁(300 mL) then with water (300 mL). The organic phase was evaporated todryness, then the residue was stirred with diethyl ether. The solid wascollected by filtration and dried to afford2-[3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide as a solid (18.3 g).Mass spectrum (El, M.⁺) m/z 237. This compound was used without furtherpurification in the preparation of the title compound.

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described in Example 12using 8.0 g of 2-[3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-thioureido]-acetamide, 25.0 gof ethyl iodide, and (200 mL) ethanol. Crystallization fromhexane/diethyl ether mixture afforded the title compound as a lightyellow solid (2.4 g), m.p. 86°-88° C. Anal. Calcd. for. C₁₂ H₁₆ N₂ O S:C, 62.87; H, 6.49; N, 11.28. Found: C, 62.98; H, 6.57; N, 11.30. Massspectrum (El, M.⁺) m/z 248 ¹ H-NMR (DMSO-d₆ ; 400 MHz) δ7.27-7.30 (m,1H), 7.21 (m, 1H), 7.19 (m, 1H), 7.33 (d, 1H), 4.42 (s, 2H), 3.06 (q,2H), 2.07 (s, 6H), and 1.26 ppm (t, 3H).

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for increasing blood serum HDLcholesterol levels in a mammal in need of increased HDL cholesterolblood serum levels, which comprises administering to said mammal, aneffective amound of a compound of formula I: ##STR9## wherein R isphenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with one or more groups selectedfrom halogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, perfluoroalkyl of 1 to 6carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, perfluoroalkoxy of 1 to 6carbon atoms, hydroxy, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, aroyloxy of 7to 11 carbon atoms or arylalkanoyloxy of 8 to 16 carbon atoms;R³ isalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms or arylalkylof 7 to 12 carbon atoms;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.2. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said compound is of theformula: ##STR10## wherein R is phenyl or phenyl optionally substitutedwith one or more groups selected from halogen, alkyl of 1 to 3 carbonatoms, perfluoromethyl, alkoxy of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, perfluoromethoxy,hydroxy or alkanoyloxy of 2 to 4 carbon atoms;R³ is alkyl of 1 to 3carbon atoms or arylalkyl or 7 to 9 carbon atoms; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, in which saidcompound is2-ethylsulfanyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1, inwhich said compound is3-(5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-oneor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. The method of claim 1,in which said compound is3-(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-oneor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. The method of claim 1,in which said compound is3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1, inwhich said compound is2-benzylsulfanyl-3-(5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-oneor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. The method of claim 1,in which said compound is3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. The method of claim 1, inwhich said compound is2-ethylsulfanyl-3-(2-tolyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. The method of claim 1, inwhich said compound is3-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-oneor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 11. The method of claim1, in which said compound is2-ethylsulfanyl-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 12. The method of claim 1, inwhich said compound is3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.